Well, to look their best they need the boxes, or else it is just a piece of paper, a vial, and 2 small white bottles.
Obviously I like Salifert brand tests but the API Calcium test is a little easier to do and seems to be just as accurate. The API Alk test kit was way off though, it read 8DKH when in reality it was 11DKH, the upper limits for alk. Tell you one thing though, don't waste your $ on test "strips". I was using a nitrite/nitrate strip test and it would always show around 20 nitrates for me. Several tests with the salifert nitrate tests showed ZERO. Big difference when your running a SPS coral tank.. 20 is danger levels, 0-5 are acceptable. Same goes for pH test strips.. strips would tell me pH was 8.4 when in reality is was 8.0-8.1, again, when dealing with SPS tanks you really want to make sure the test readings you get are accurate.
All these test tell me exactly what I need to do though..
1. stop topping off with Kalk because Alk is already maxed, just use RO/DI for a while
2. Dose Mg and CA at maximum daily allowances to get those back within range while letting Alk drop back down a little on its own.
3. Keep doing my weekly water changes because all other parameters are spot on. Low pH will be fixed as Alk drops and buffering capabilities start to work more.